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Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

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ISSN (Print): 1389-2010
ISSN (Online): 1873-4316

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Research Article

Treatment with Melittin Induces Apoptosis and Autophagy of Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Author(s): Shou-di He, Ning Tan, Chen-xia Sun, Kang-han Liao, Hui-jun Zhu, Xiao-guang Luo, Jie-yao Zhang, De-yu Li and Sheng-guang Huang*

Volume 21, Issue 8, 2020

Page: [734 - 740] Pages: 7

DOI: 10.2174/1389201021666191210110826

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: Melittin, the major medicinal component of honeybee venom, exerts antiinflammatory, analgesic, and anti-arthritic effects in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). RA is an inflammatory autoimmune joint disease that leads to irreversible joint destruction and functional loss. Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes (FLS) are dominant, special mesenchymal cells characterized by the structure of the synovial intima, playing a crucial role in both the initiation and progression of RA.

Objective: In this study, we evaluated the effects of melittin on the viability and apoptosis of FLS isolated from patients with RA.

Methods: Cell viability was determined using CCK-8 assays; apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry, and the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-3, caspase-9, BAX, and Bcl-2) were also determined. To explore whether melittin alters inflammatory processes in RA-FLS, IL-1β levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, we performed GFP-LC3 punctate fluorescence dot assays and western blotting (for LC3, ATG5, p62, and Beclin 1) to assess autophagy in RA-FLS.

Results: Our results show that melittin can significantly impair viability, promote apoptosis and autophagy, and inhibit IL-1β secretion in RA-FLS.

Conclusion: Melittin may be useful in preventing damage to the joints during accidental local stimulation.

Keywords: Melittin, rheumatoid arthritis, fibroblast-like synoviocytes, autophagy, apoptosis, ELISA.

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